Air filter arrangement

ABSTRACT

An air cleaner arrangement is shown. The air cleaner arrangement includes a serviceable filter cartridge comprising strips of media arranged in a stacked configuration. The strips of media each comprise a corrugated sheet secured to a facing sheet. A preferred filter cartridge positioned within the air cleaner arrangement, is depicted.

This application is a continuing application of U.S. Ser. No.13/952,987, filed Jul. 29, 2013, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,820on Jan. 28, 2014. U.S. Ser. No. 13/952,987 is a continuation of U.S.Ser. No. 11/795,178; U.S. Ser. No. 11/795,178 filed 12 Jul. 2007, as aNational Stage Patent Application of PCT International Patentapplication number PCT/US2006/001021 filed on 12 Jan. 2006 and claimingpriority from 60/644,094, filed Jan. 13, 2005. The complete disclosuresof Ser. Nos. 13/952,987; 11/795,178; PCT/US2006/001021; and, 60/644,094are incorporated herein by reference. A claim of the priority to each ofSer. Nos. 13/952, 987; 11/795,178; PCT/US2006/001021; and, 60/644,094 ismade to the extent appropriate.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to air cleaners. The disclosureparticularly relates to air cleaners with media packs that use z-filtermedia comprising a fluted (typically corrugated) media sheet secured toa facing sheet, formed into a media pack. More specifically, thedisclosure relates to such media packs provided in serviceable filtercartridge arrangements, typically for use in air cleaners. Air cleanerarrangements, methods of assembly and use, and systems of use are alsodescribed.

BACKGROUND

Air streams can carry contaminant material therein. In many instances,it is desired to filter some or all of the contaminant material from theair stream. For example, gas flow streams to engines (for examplecombustion air) for motorized vehicles or for power generationequipment, gas streams to gas turbine systems and air streams to variouscombustion furnaces, carry particulate contaminant therein that shouldbe filtered. It is preferred for such systems, that selected contaminantmaterial be removed from (or have its level reduced in) that gas. Avariety of air filter arrangements have been developed for contaminantrejection. However, continued improvements are sought.

SUMMARY

According to a portion of the present disclosure, features useable inair cleaners and filter cartridges for the air cleaners provided. Thefeatures can be used together to provide a system, however someadvantageous arrangements can be constructed to use only selected onesof the features. In addition, methods of construction and use areprovided.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a preferred media pack isprovided, for use in or as air filter cartridges. The media packcomprises a stacked z-filter arrangement having opposite flow faces andopposite sides. At a pair of the opposite sides, ends of stacked stripsare sealed, for example by end pieces such as molded-in-place endpieces, although alternatives are possible. In some examples the moldedend pieces would comprise molded polyurethane. Also, a useable housingseal arrangement is provided. The housing seal arrangement can beprovided as a molded-in-place seal arrangement.

Also, air cleaner arrangements, which use the filter cartridge as aservice component, are described. In addition, shown and described arefeatures of an air cleaner system and for example an environment of use.Also methods of assembly and use are shown and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system using an air cleaner assemblyhaving a filter cartridge component according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an air cleaner assemblyaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the air cleaner assembly depictedin FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an inlet end view of the air cleaner assembly depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the air cleaner assembly depicted in FIGS.2-4, with a housing portion shown in see-through to allow viewing of apositioning of an internally received filter cartridge component.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view analogous to FIG. 7, showinga possible housing seal location.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a filter cartridge usable inthe arrangement of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an opposite end view from FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view of an air flow face of the arrangement of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of a second air cleaner according tothe present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is an end perspective view of the air cleaner of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an inlet end elevational view of the air cleaner of FIGS. 14and 15.

FIG. 17 is an outlet end elevational view of the air cleaner of FIGS. 14and 15.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the air cleaner of FIGS. 14-17.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19, FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a filter cartridge useable inthe air cleaner of FIGS. 14-19.

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a first end elevational view of the cartridge of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a second, opposite, end view if the filter cartridge of FIG.20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Z-Filter Media Configurations, Generally

Air cleaners according to the present disclosure utilize a z-filtermedia construction. In general the term “z-filter construction” as usedherein, and variants thereof, is meant to refer to a filter constructionin which individual ones of corrugated, folded or otherwise formedfilter flutes are used to define sets of longitudinal, typicallyparallel, inlet and outlet filter flutes for fluid flow through themedia; the fluid flowing along the length of flutes between oppositeinlet and outlet ends (or flow faces) on the media, during filtering.Some examples of z-filter media are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,820,646; 5,772,883; 5,902,364; 5,792,247; 5,895,574; 6,210,469;6,190,432; 6,350,296; 6,179,890; and 6,235,195. The complete disclosuresof these 10 cited references are incorporated herein by reference.

One type of z-filter media, uses two specific separate media componentswhich are joined together, to form a media construction. The twocomponents are: (1) a fluted (typically corrugated) media sheet; and (2)a facing media sheet. The facing media sheet is typicallynon-corrugated, however it can be corrugated, for exampleperpendicularly to the flute direction as described in U.S. Provisional60/543,804 filed Feb. 11, 2004, incorporated herein by reference.

In typical preferred applications as described herein, the media packcomprises stacked strips (each strip, sometimes, called a single facerstrip, being a section of fluted (corrugated) sheet secured to facingsheet) each strip extending generally (or approximately) in a planeparallel to the other strips. Such arrangements are described forexample in U.S. Provisional Applications 60/599,686, filed Aug. 6, 2004;60/600,081, filed Aug. 9, 2004; 60/602,721, filed Aug. 18, 2004; and60/616,364, filed Oct. 5, 2004, the complete disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. An example is described, for example,in connection with FIG. 6 of U.S. Provisional 60/616,364, and relateddescriptions. Stacked arrangements according to the present disclosurecan be made in general in accord with the descriptions therein.

Particular arrangements shown herein are “blocked” stacked arrangements,in that each end or side face of the stacked arrangement extendsperpendicularly to adjacent faces. Such arrangements are shown forexample in U.S. Provisional Application 60/616,364, filed Oct. 5, 2004,FIG. 6. Alternate arrangements can be used, for example, in whichinstead of being blocked, the layers of single facer sheet are stackedoffset from one another to create a slanted arrangement.

In typical arrangements, the flutes extend between opposite flow faces,one being an inlet flow face and the opposite being an outlet flow face.Opposite ends of the strips are typically sealed, for example by beingsecured within end pieces. This is described in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 60/616,364, at FIG. 64, for example.

A housing seal is provided between the media pack and the air cleanerhousing, as described below.

II. Manufacture of Stacked Media Configurations Using Fluted Media,Generally

A process for manufacturing stacked media configurations using flutedmedia, is described in U.S. Provisional Application 60/616,364 insection II. Such techniques can be utilized to generate media packsuseable in arrangements according to the present disclosure.

III. An Example Air Cleaner System, FIGS. 1-13

A. General System of Use.

The principles and arrangements described herein are useable in avariety of systems. One particular system is depicted schematically inFIG. 1, generally at 1. In FIG. 1, equipment 2, such as a vehicle 2 ahaving an engine 3 with some defined rated air flow demand, for examplein the range of 50 cfm to 2000 cfm (cubic feet per minute) (i.e., 1.4-57cubic meters/minute) is shown schematically. Although alternatives arepossible, the equipment 2 may, for example, comprise a bus, anover-the-highway truck, an off-road vehicle, a tractor, a light-duty ormedium-duty truck, or a marine vehicle such as a power boat. The engine3 powers the equipment 2 upon fuel combustion. In FIG. 1, air flow isshown drawn into the engine 3 at an air intake at region 5. An optionalturbo 6 is shown in phantom, as optionally boosting the air intake tothe engine 3. The turbo 6 is shown downstream from an air cleaner 10,although alternate arrangement are possible.

The air cleaner 10 has a serviceable (i.e., removable and replaceable)filter cartridge 12 and is shown in the air inlet stream to the engine3. In general, in operation, air is drawn in at arrow 14 into the aircleaner 10 and through the filter cartridge 12. Upon passage through theair cleaner 10, selected particles and contaminants are removed from theair. The cleaned air then flows downstream at arrow 16 into the intake5. From there, the air flow is directed into the engine 3.

In a typical air cleaner 10, the filter cartridge 12 is a serviceablecomponent. That is, the cartridge 12 is removable and replaceable withinthe air cleaner 10. This allows the cartridge 12 to be serviced, byremoval and replacement, with respect to remainder of air cleaner 10,when the cartridge 12 becomes sufficiently loaded with dust or othercontaminant, to require servicing.

B. An Example Air Cleaner Arrangement, FIGS. 2-13.

In FIG. 2, a cross-sectional, schematic, view of an air cleanerarrangement according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2,air cleaner arrangement 50 comprises housing 50 a including inletsection 51 and outlet section 52. The inlet section 51 and outletsection 52 are secured to one another along housing separation region53. Clamps 54 or other arrangements, can be used to secure connection atseparation region 53.

For the arrangement shown, housing separation region 53 comprises aflange 55 on the inlet section 51, and a flange 56 on the outlet section52 sized and configured to engage one another. Unhooking clamps 54allows separation of flanges 55, 56 (and thus sections 51, 52) to obtainservice access to an interior of housing 50 a.

The inlet section 51 includes an air flow inlet 58 and a filtercartridge receiving section 59. The outlet section 52 includes a filtercartridge receiving section 69 and an outlet tube 70.

For the particular arrangement shown, the inlet tube 58 and outlet tube70 extend in generally opposite directions from one another. Alternateconstructions are possible.

In a typical assembly, inside of outlet tube 70, or in related ductwork, at or near region 72, a probe of a mass air flow sensor system(MAFS) could be positioned, to evaluate air flow in outlet tube 70.

In FIG. 3, a side elevational view of air cleaner arrangement 50 isshown. In FIG. 4 an end view of air cleaner 50, directed toward inlet 58is shown. In FIG. 4, a portion of a filter cartridge 60 positionedinside of air cleaner housing 50 a is shown.

In FIG. 5, a schematic depiction of housing 50 a is shown, with thehousing 50 a shown in a see-through form, so internally positionedfilter cartridge 60 can be seen. Referring to FIG. 5, cartridge 60comprises a z-filter media pack 61 having a inlet face 62, an outletface 63, opposite ends 64, 65 and a pair of opposite faces 66, 67. Ends64, 65 generally correspond to end sealant portions closing ends ofsingle facer media forming the media pack 60.

Opposite faces 66, 67 are shown substantially uncovered, however a sheetof material or protective covering could be provided at these locations.

Generally, air is filtered by entering media pack 61 at inlet face 62and exiting at opposite outlet face 63.

In FIG. 6, a side elevational view of the arrangement 50 as shown inFIG. 5, is depicted. In FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of thearrangement shown in FIG. 6 is depicted.

It is desirable to configure air cleaner housing 50 a and to positioncartridge 60 therein, in a manner avoiding undesirable levels of airturbulence in region 72, which would negatively effect the operation ofthe MAFS. This is facilitated by:

-   -   1. Providing a stacked arrangement for cartridge 60 in which a        coiled arrangement of corrugated media secured to facing media        is avoided, but rather stacked strips of corrugated sheet        secured to facing sheets are used, with each strip positioned at        least approximately in a plane parallel to other strips.    -   2. Positioning outlet flow face 63, FIG. 6, partially angled        toward outlet tube 70 as opposed to within a plane of separation        region 53. Preferably the angle X between the outlet flow face        63 and outlet tube 70 is at least 10° typically at least 15° and        often within the range of 15° to 80°, inclusive, for example        15°-40°, inclusive. A variety of arrangements can be used to        position the cartridge 60 as shown schematically in FIG. 2.

An example of mounting is shown in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 8, housingseal arrangement 80 is shown on media pack 61 of cartridge 60. The sealarrangement 80 could be configured to be positioned between flanges 55,56, for sealing. The seal arrangement 80 is positioned in a plane notparallel to inlet face 62 and outlet face 63, in extension across a facethat would correspond to the face viewable at 66, FIG. 6. In general,this face would comprise a first one of a sheet of facing or fluted(typically corrugated) material, and the opposite face, typically, asecond one of sheet of facing or fluted (typically corrugated) material,although coverings or other materials can be provided.

The angle between the seal arrangement 80 and the outlet face 63 isgenerally shown at Y, FIG. 8, and would typically be at least 5° andusually within the range of 8° to 45°, inclusive, for example 8°-20°,inclusive.

It is noted that for the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2, at least 10% ofthe volume of the media pack 81 is positioned in each of: the inletsection 51 and the outlet section 52. Often at least 15% of each is solocated.

Referring to FIG. 7, it is noted that for the arrangement shown, apex 90of cartridge 61 is positioned at a highest location. Apex 90 comprises acorner or vertex formed between outlet flow face 63 and end 64.

Similarly, apex 91 is positioned in section 59, i.e., at a lowestlocation. Apex 91 comprises a corner diagonally opposite apex 90, andcomprises a corner between inlet face 62 and end 65.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 9. In FIG. 9 a schematic perspectiveview of the filter cartridge 95, useable as cartridge 60. Referring toFIG. 9, cartridge 95 comprises media pack 96 with opposite flow faces98, 99. The media pack 96 would typically and preferably comprise ablocked stacked arrangement of z-filter media strips, each stripcomprising a section of corrugated sheet secured to a section of facingsheet. Ends of the strips form opposite end faces 101, 102. The endfaces 101, 102 would typically be sealed, for example by covering withend pieces as shown.

Housing seal arrangement 105 is viewable. The housing seal arrangement105 includes sections 106, 107 extending across ends 101, 102,respectively. It also includes an extension 110 and opposite extension111, not viewable in FIG. 9, for engagement with the housing.

In FIG. 10, the side view of cartridge 95 is depicted. The view of FIG.10 would be toward side 112, FIG. 9, but inverted. In FIG. 10, a pair ofspaced extensions or spacers 117, extending between ends 101, 102 isviewable. A second pair could also be positioned oppositely, i.e., on asurface 113, FIG. 11, opposite to surface 112.

In FIG. 11, a view toward end section 107 is provided. In FIG. 12 theview is toward end section 106 (inverted relatively to FIG. 9). In FIG.13 the view toward outlet face 99 is shown.

In FIGS. 10-13, dimensions are shown in millimeters (and inches inbrackets) to indicate an example size. Of course a variety of alternatesizes can be made.

IV. A Second Example Air Cleaner Systems, FIGS. 14-23

In FIGS. 14-23, a second example air cleaner system is depicted. InFIGS. 14-19, the air cleaner assembly 200 is viewable. In FIGS. 20-23, aremovable and replaceable filter cartridge 201 useable in the aircleaner 200 is provided. Many of the features of the air cleaner 200 areanalogous features to those discussed previously for air cleaner 50,FIGS. 2-8, and many of the features are provided with the same referencenumerals in FIGS. 14-19. Thus the air cleaner arrangement 200 compriseshousing 50 a including an inlet section 51 and an outlet section 52. Theinlet section 51 and outlet section 52 are secured to one another alonghousing separation region 53. Clamps 54 are used to secure separationregion 53. Referring to FIG. 19, the housing separation 53 comprises aflange 55 on the inlet section 51, and a flange 56 on the outlet section52, sized and configured to engage one another. Unhooking clamps 54,FIGS. 14-18, allow separation of flanges 55, 56 (and thus section 51 and52) to obtain service access to an interior housing 50 a. This allowsfor servicing of cartridge 201, for example by replacement, FIG. 19.

The inlet section 51 includes an air flow inlet 58 and a filtercartridge receiving section 59. The outlet section 52 includes a filtercartridge receiving section 69 and an outlet tube 70. For the particulararrangement shown, the inlet tube 58 and outlet tube 70 extend ingenerally opposite directions from one another. Alternate constructionsare possible.

In the assembly, inside the tube 70, (or in a related duct work), at ornear region 72, a probe of a mass air flow sensor system (MAFS) could bepositioned, to evaluate air flow in outlet tube 70.

Referring to FIG. 19, attention is directed to the following features.First housing section 51 includes a lower support ledge or shelfarrangement 210 comprising shelves 211 and 212. When filter cartridge201 is positioned within housing 50 a, opposite side panels 215, 216will respectively rest on ledges 211, 212, for support. Thus cartridge201 is not suspended by the seal arrangement 220. Rather, the cartridge201 is supported by engagement of the panels 215, 216 with the ledgearrangement 210.

The filter cartridge 201 will be generally understood by reference toFIGS. 20-23. Referring first to FIG. 20, cartridge 201 comprises a mediapack 230 having side panels 215 and 216. The media pack 230 wouldgenerally comprise a stacked arrangement of single facer materialcomprising fluted (corrugated) media secured to facing media withopposite upstream and downstream flute seal arrangements appropriate todefine a series of inlet flutes and outlet flutes extending betweenopposite faces 235, 236 in accord with previous discussions. Thisprevents unfiltered air entering face 235 from leaving via face 236,without passage through media, for filtering. The particular media pack230 depicted schematically in FIG. 20, is a “blocked” stackedarrangement, again meaning that no face or side is slanted, rather eachengages adjacent ones at 90° angles. Of course, as discussed aboveslanted arrangements are possible with the principles described herein.

For the particular example shown in FIG. 20, face 235 would be an inletface for air flow, and opposite face 236 would be an outlet face forfiltered air. The panels 215, 216 would typically and preferably bemolded-in-place, to seal ends of the single facer strips within themedia pack 230. Typically panels 215, 216 would be molded from apolyurethane such as a foamed polyurethane.

In a typical construction approach, the same mold would be used forpanels 215, 216, with two molding steps.

Referring to FIG. 20, filter cartridge 201 includes peripheral,perimeter housing seal arrangement 220 thereon. The particular sealarrangement 220 depicted, extends completely around the media pack 230,separating the media pack into an upstream section 230 u and adownstream 230 d. For a typical example, the seal arrangement 220 wouldcomprise a single integral molded-in-place seal, typically a moldedpolymeric material such as a foamed polyurethane, made in a one-shotmold process and applied after the panels 215, 216 are in place on themedia pack 230. The seal arrangement 220 is provided with an outerflange 240 which, when cartridge 201 is positioned within housing 50 a,FIG. 19, is compressed between flanges 55, 56 to form a seal. Such acompression seal is generally referred to herein as a “axial” seal, orby similar terminology, since the force of compression on the sealmember 220 is generally parallel to an access of air flow directionthrough the media pack 201.

The example housing seal arrangements described herein have no rigidstructural member embedded therein, and each is molded from a singlepolymeric material, such as polyurethane. Thus, the housing sealarrangement 220 can be described as consisting essentially of moldedpolyurethane, typically foamed polyurethane.

Referring to FIG. 21, seal flange 240 generally extends at an angle Yrelative to the outlet face 236 as previously discussed, i.e., typicallyat least 5° and usually within the range of 8° to 45°, inclusive, forexample 8°-20°, inclusive. For the particular example shown the rangewould typically be 8°-15°, for example about 10°. More generally stated,the angle Y is greater than 0°, and usually not greater than 45°.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the configuration of the panels 215, 216is shown. In particular each panel 215 includes opposite edges 215 a,215 b, edge 215 a being adjacent inlet face 235 and edge 215 b beingadjacent outlet face 236. Edges 215 a and 215 b are provided withprojection regions 217 which extend beyond an adjacent face of the mediapack. These regions 217 will engage the housing as shown in FIG. 19, forsecure positioning of the cartridge, during installation. In particularregions 217 along edge 215 a, will engage ledge 211, FIG. 19. Regions217 along edge 215 b will engage cover ledge 250, FIG. 19, to helpsecure the cartridge against unintended motion. Ledge 215 is oppositeledge 211, and panel 215 is secured therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 23, panel 216 analogously includes opposite edges 216a and 216 b, with projections 217. The projections 217 along edge 216 awill be engaged by ledge 212 of FIG. 19, during installation.Projections 217 along edge 216 b can be made to not engage structurewithin the housing, although if desired a ledge structure can beprovided adjacent opposite corners, to help secure the cartridge 201 inposition.

In FIG. 19, seal arrangement 220 can be seen in cross-section. The sealarrangement 220 includes a base 260, by which the media pack 201 andpanels 215, 216 are engaged. Flange 240, which is compressed to form theseal, is secured to base 260. Typically the flange 240 is molded at endbase 260, meaning the two are jointly molded from a single material, atthe same time.

A trough 261 is provided between the flange 240 and the media pack 201and panels 215, 216. The trough 261 generally extends toward base 260and is surrounded by at least a portion of the flange 240. The trough260 is positioned to receive a flange projection 270 therein, duringinstallation, FIG. 19. The flange projection 270 is secured on one ofthe housing sections 51, 52, in this example the downstream housingsection 52.

The trough 261 is generally configured to have a maximum depth of atleast 3 mm, usually at least 4 mm and typically at least 5 mm. Exampleswould be 5-14 mm, although alternatives are possible.

Still referring to FIG. 19, flange 55 is configured to receive thereinseal arrangement 220 during installation. Flange 55 includes an outerprojection 275 which will surround flange 240, during installation.Flange 275 is of a sufficient length to bottom out against a portion ofcover section 52, during installation.

Still referring to FIG. 19, cover section 52 includes flange arrangement56 including inner projection 270 and outer projection 278. The innerprojection 270, again, is sized to extend into trough 261. The outerprojection 278 is sized to extend around projection 275, duringinstallation. Flange 279 extending between projections 270, 278,provides a surface against which flange 275 can bottom out, duringinstallation.

It is noted that radially outwardly projecting flange 279 includesprojection 280 thereon, sized to press into axial seal flange 240, tohelp ensure seal. Such a projection will generally extend into theflange 240 a distance corresponding to at least 2% of the compressedthickness of the flange 240 between opposite walls 240 a, 240 b, FIG.21.

Referring to FIG. 19, angle X indicates the angle between the outletflow face 236 and the outlet tube 70. The angle is typically at least10°, usually at least 15° and often within the range of 15° to 80°,inclusive, for example 15°-45°. As a result of angle X, outlet face 236can be viewed as tipped toward outlet tube 70, with an apex of the mediapack indicated at 300 corresponding to a portion of the media pack 201highest within housing 50 a, and positioned to tip face 236 towardoutlet tube 70.

For the example of FIGS. 14-23, some example dimensions are provided, asfollows: AA=217.1 mm; AB=328.0 mm; AC=301.5 mm; AD=500.9 mm; AE=328.4mm; AF=112.1 mm.

An example material useable for both the seal and the side moldingsdescribed herein is polyurethane. An example polyurethane characterizedis a foamed polyurethane which will increase in volume during use.Preferred ones increase by at least 40% in volume, to fill the moldcavities (typically at least 80% in volume) and having an as-moldeddensity of no greater than 30 lbs/cu.ft (0.48 g/cc), typically nogreater than 22 lbs/cu.ft. (0.35 g/cc) and usually with in the range of10 lbs/cu.ft (0.16 g/cc) to 22 lbs/cu.ft (0.35 g/cc); and, a hardness(Shore A) typically of not greater than 30, preferably not greater than25 and typically within the range of 10 to 22. Of course polyurethanesoutside of this range can be used, but the characterized ones areadvantageous for manufacturing and handling.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air filter cartridge comprising: (a) a mediapack comprising a stack of strips of fluted media secured to facingmedia to define a media pack with opposite inlet and outlet flow facesand with inlet and outlet flutes directed therebetween; (i) the mediapack having a first pair of opposite sides and a second pair of oppositesides; and, (ii) the media pack including opposite end piecespositioned, respectively, on each side of one of the pair of oppositesides; and, (b) a housing seal arrangement surrounding the media pack;(i) the housing seal arrangement including at least a portion,positioned at one of the first pair of opposite sides, that extends in adirection non-parallel to the outlet flow face; (ii) the housing sealarrangement comprising an axial seal flange secured to a seal base; (A)the seal base being secured to a combination comprising the media packand the end pieces; and, (B) the seal base and axial seal flange beingmolded integral with one another; and, (c) the axial seal flange andseal base defining a receiving trough between a portion of the axialseal flange and the combination of the media pack and the end pieces. 2.An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the media packis a blocked, stacked, arrangement wherein each face and side of themedia pack intersects each adjacent face and side at 90° .
 3. An airfilter cartridge according to claim 2 wherein: (a) the housing sealarrangement is straight, in complete extension across each one of thefirst pair of opposite sides.
 4. An air filter cartridge according toclaim 3 wherein: (a) an angle Y, between portions of the housing sealarrangement extending across each one of the first pair of oppositesides and the outlet flow face, is at least 10° .
 5. An air filtercartridge according to claim 4 wherein: (a) the end pieces aremolded-in-place with the stack of strips of media embedded therein. 6.An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the end piecesare molded-in-place with the stack of strips of media embedded therein;and, (b) the housing seal arrangement is molded-in-place.
 7. An airfilter cartridge according to claim 6 wherein: (a) the housing sealarrangement is straight, in extension completely across each one of thefirst pair of opposite sides.
 8. An air filter cartridge comprising: (a)a filter media pack having first and second opposite flow faces andcomprising fluted media secured to facing media to define inlet andoutlet flow channels extending between the first and second, opposite,flow faces; (i) the filter media pack being closed to passage of airtherethrough, from one flow face to an opposite flow face, withoutfiltering passage through the media; (b) a housing seal arrangementcomprising a perimeter seal extending around the media pack; (i) thehousing seal arrangement including a base and a pinch seal flange; (A)the pinch seal flange being positioned on, and molded integral with, thebase; and, (B) the base and pinch seal flange defining a trough betweenat least a portion of the pinch seal flange and the media pack; (ii) thepinch seal flange having a first end surface in complete extensionaround the media pack; (A) the first end surface being an end surfacefacing generally in the same direction as one of the first flow face andsecond flow face; and, (B) the housing seal arrangement being configuredsuch that the first end surface varies in distance from the second flowface, in at least selected locations, as the end surface extends aroundthe filter media pack.
 9. An air filter cartridge according to claim 8wherein: (a) the media pack has a first pair of opposite sides and asecond pair of opposite sides; (i) the housing seal arrangement extendsacross each of the first pair of opposite sides and each of the secondpair of opposite sides, as it extends around the media pack; and, (ii)in complete extension across at least one of the sides, the first endsurface does not vary in distance from the second flow face.
 10. An airfilter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein: (a) in complete extensionacross each one of the first pair of opposite sides, the first endsurface of the pinch seal flange does not vary in distance from thesecond flow face.
 11. An air filter cartridge according to claim 10wherein: (a) in extension across at least a first one of the second pairof opposite sides, the first end surface of the pinch seal flangeincludes a variation in distance from the second flow face.
 12. An airfilter cartridge according to claim 11 wherein: (a) the variation indistance from the second flow face, of the first end surface of thepinch seal flange, is continuous in extension across the first side ofthe second pair of opposite sides.
 13. An air filter cartridge accordingto claim 12 wherein: (a) in extension across a second side of the secondpair of opposite sides, the first end surface of the pinch seal flangeincludes a variation in distance from the second flow face.
 14. An airfilter cartridge according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the variation indistance from the second flow face, of the first end surface, iscontinuous in extension across the first side of the second pair ofopposite sides; and, (b) the variation in distance from the second flowface, of the first end surface, is continuous in extension across thesecond one of the second pair of opposite sides.
 15. An air filtercartridge according to claim 8 wherein: (a) the first and second flowfaces are planar flow faces.
 16. An air filter cartridge according toclaim 8 wherein: (a) the media pack comprises a stack of strips offluted media secured to facing media.